By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
Sean Nichols has always loved basketball. He started playing in second grade, inspired by watching his brother’s games. “I wanted to go for it, too,” he recalls.
But there was a challenge. Sean was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (TM) at nine months old. TM is a rare condition that affects the spinal cord, causing pain, muscle weakness, and sensory issues. It usually appears suddenly and can be triggered by infections or autoimmune diseases. Treatments often involve steroids and supportive care.
Despite the diagnosis, Sean never gave up his passion for basketball. “It never stopped my love for the game,” he shares. Even in a wheelchair, he found ways to participate.
With support from his family, Sean joined the Cincinnati Dragons, a wheelchair basketball league founded in 2014. The Dragons compete in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association and include teams for various age groups. They travel throughout the Midwest, participating in about 20-30 games each season.
Sean has been with the Dragons since he was in second grade and has played on the varsity team since fifth grade. His team even clinched the NWBA Varsity National Championship in 2021, finishing with a perfect 28-0 record.
Sean enjoys helping younger players: “I teach them rebounding and how to control their chairs.” He highlights the differences in wheelchair basketball, noting the unique rules, like how to dribble and carry the ball. The team practices at the LeBlond Recreation Center and hosts games at the Mt. Washington Recreation Center.
Excitingly, Sean recently signed a Letter of Intent to play wheelchair basketball for the University of Alabama, where he will receive scholarships to support his education. This is a significant achievement, as there are over 20 colleges in the U.S. with competitive wheelchair basketball programs that offer such opportunities. Notable schools include the University of Arizona, University of Illinois, and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
“I attended summer camps at Alabama, and their coaches noticed me,” Sean explains. He reached out via email, expressing his interest in joining the team. His hard work paid off when they watched his games being streamed online.
While Sean considered schools close to home, he found that many local universities only offered individual adaptive sports. However, his drive and determination are taking him to Alabama, where he plans to live with other incoming freshmen in adaptive sports accommodations.
Sean is proud to be among the first wheelchair basketball athletes from Northern Kentucky to earn a scholarship. His journey shows that passion and persistence can break barriers and lead to incredible opportunities in sports.
For those interested in wheelchair basketball or adaptive sports in general, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) provides valuable resources and information on competitions, athletes, and programs available across the country.
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